New England Travel Journal 2014

Ed and I drove north some six hours and arrived with hugs and kisses all around and much anticipation for making memories and family fun. Our first day involved some round the house fun as we leisurely settled in. Bike riding, crafting, and snuggling with PopPop were on the agenda.

I brought Kenzie a canvas bag and fabric paint. I had to assist with the decorating when I realized that she learned a new word. “GOOP” That’s what happened when she squeezed the bottle of paint by herself. She gooped it all over with lots of giggles. Really – we wouldn’t have had enough paint to finish the project if she kept that up. But, after three days of working on it a little at a time – letting it dry and then do some more – our grand-girl was quite pleased with the results!

It has really expanded in the past 30 years since I once lived in the area. In those days I was the mommy taking my little boy to see the sea lions and beluga whales. Now, he’s the daddy taking his daughter – and I’m the Nana.

The next day, much to my son’s dismay, I really wanted to head to Newport – about a 40 minute drive. Having lived in the area for about seven years, I was familiar with the habit of the locals to avoid Newport at all costs in summer when it is swamped with tourists. But, what a good boy – he loaded us up the next day and off to Ocean Drive and Brenton State Park for a picnic and restful afternoon by the sea.

Before leaving Newport, we stopped at our favorite haunt – Kelley’s Used Books. Most of my library came from there, built during the years I lived in the area and was homeschooling my children. Precious hours spent touring the stacks in those days. My career bookseller husband was quite at home.

On the way home, we stopped in Portsmouth at a quaint Aquidneck Island ice cream shop next to the Old Almy House where I used to work when it was an Antique shop back in the 1990’s, we thoroughly enjoyed our cones and the landscape view across the street.

Thanks to a few silk flower petals, chenille pipe cleaners, tulle wings and wooden beads just the right size for a fairy’s head – WE FOUND SOME!

Actually . . . we made them ourselves.

All too soon we were packing the car to return home to New Jersey. But, not before taking a couple hours at Mystic Village on the way, for lunch and a stroll through the shops. I just had to get a shot of the tea sets and china in the Irish shop!

It’s taken me most of this week to catch up around the house – and especially in Blogland since I’ve been taking a break from posting for all my busy. But, always with good intentions to record my adventures and share it abroad with much joy and more thankfulness for the Lord’s many blessings in our lives.

I’m looking so forward to a return trip for Kenzie’s 4th birthday later in August, driving up with my daughter and son-in-law. Poor Ed – won’t be able to join us then due to his work schedule. No fear – photos forthcoming on that score, too!

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"I teach families how to restore their God-given authority as the primary educator in their child’s life through the experience of reading together as a family. Learn how to use literature to create teachable moments, build strong minds, and bind loving hearts."

Kathryn Ross, writer, speaker, and dramatist, ignites a love of literature and learning to equip young and old towards developing a Family Literacy Lifestyle—reading together, learning together, loving together. Her works challenge families to deepen their literacy skills and grow into the greater things God has purposed for them. She’s taught in Christian and homeschool circles, trained in the Principle Approach® through the Foundation for American Christian Education. Miss Kathy owns Pageant Wagon Publishing, producing homeschool enrichment materials, devotional works, study guides, and theatrical dramas for church, school, and community production. She podcasts at TheWritersReverie.com and blogs at PageantWagonPublishing.com.

How wonderful! What a great time you had! Kensie is a sweet little girl! I love that area, and have also visited the Mystic Aquarium and Seaport, and other nearby places, many moons ago as a young mother with my youngsters. I would love to return there some day, I love new England. When we were in the Navy, early 70s, we were stationed at Windsor Locks, CT for a few years. I enjoyed your scenic photos and family pics! So happy you got to have a great visit!

Oh what a wonderful time I have spent with you and your family!! Such beautiful photos, and so much fun. I know that these posts will be treasured keepsakes for many years to come. The caption for the toddler photo?

Kenzie: “Make a face. I’m gonna take a selfie.”
Tommy: “How’s this one??”

GOD BLESS!

(I know you’re busy…but I hope that All Things Bright and Beautiful is back next month!!)

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I'm Kathryn Ross, an Enrichment Artist with a passion to bless and inspire others to a life more abundant and purposeful in all good things and beauty. I share such treasures through the power of dramatized storytelling, blogging at The Writer's Reverie, publishing my works through Pageant Wagon Publishing, hosting teatime hospitality retreats, and exploring handcrafted creative arts through Cameo Impressions at Etsy. My love of God and Biblical values also permeates the original literature and history programming I write and perform for varied audiences as Pageant Wagon Productions LLC. Blogging has been a way for me to explore my craft and connect with kindred spirits where a constant stream of inspiration enriches me - so I can be an enrichment in the lives of others!

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All article posts and images are the copyright property of Kathryn Ross. Permission is granted to use short excerpts from my blog posts or my watermarked images on your blog or website, as long as you reference and link back to my blog at The Writer's Reverie. For reprinting, republishing, or performance of full posts, poetry, or script/story material or images from this blog, written permission from the author must be obtained. Thank you for your courteous attention to The Writer's Reverie Copyright.

A good story
Is a creative compass
Pointing my imagination
In glorious directions.
I set sail on a raft
Of rhymes and reasons
That plumb the depths
Of man's heart,
And rise up on waves
Of virtue triumphant,
Where I can see a fixed mark
On the horizon.
It is there that I know
To set my rudder and my sails,
Sure to the breeze,
In the hope of docking safely
On the shoreline
Of a firm foundation
For life and living.